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Snack food: are 'weight loss products' really worth getting?
mikeyrp
Posts: 1,616 Member
Get this:
Penguin Biscuit: 106 Cal;
Kit Kat (2 fingers) 106 Cal;
Go ahead yogurt bar (2 slices) 144 Cal;
Dove farm cereal bar 142 Cal;
Special K bar 90 Cal;
Weight watchers baked apple and cinnamon bar 120Cal
What is wrong with this picture????
OK, gram for gram the health food products are probably lower calories - but if I am just snacking it simply a question of eating whats in the packet.
And yes, cereal is going to be better for you than chocolate.
And, yes, the special K bar wins on Calories: but it tastes rubbish compared to a kit kat and its only 16 calories less!
If all I want is a treat once a day, I'm going with 'better taste, lower calories'
Your thoughts?
Penguin Biscuit: 106 Cal;
Kit Kat (2 fingers) 106 Cal;
Go ahead yogurt bar (2 slices) 144 Cal;
Dove farm cereal bar 142 Cal;
Special K bar 90 Cal;
Weight watchers baked apple and cinnamon bar 120Cal
What is wrong with this picture????
OK, gram for gram the health food products are probably lower calories - but if I am just snacking it simply a question of eating whats in the packet.
And yes, cereal is going to be better for you than chocolate.
And, yes, the special K bar wins on Calories: but it tastes rubbish compared to a kit kat and its only 16 calories less!
If all I want is a treat once a day, I'm going with 'better taste, lower calories'
Your thoughts?
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Replies
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9 times out of 10 I am going to look at the contents of the package and choose the healthier one.... not just calories.0
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all of it is junk. Just stay away from all junk. Eat whole fresh foods, lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein--who says a "snack" has to come in a package---make your own.0
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Sad but true...I guess the argument could be that the "healthy" snacks have more nutrients than the junk food?0
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I just use a simple rule: no more than 10% of my calories intake over a week can be through 'junk' food.0
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The Special K bars are getting better...try the Honey Nut one (I'm sure that's not the exact name)....YUM-O!0
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.all of it is junk. Just stay away from all junk. Eat whole fresh foods, lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein--who says a "snack" has to come in a package---make your own.
Listen to this woman - not to me
Unless you are going to eat junk anyway - then listen to me 0 -
I eat a lot of FiberPlus bars. Yes, they are processed and there are healthier options out there. But these let me allow me to have a sweet snack without going crazy with fat and calories, plus they are more filling with the fiber. If these keep me on track, then yes, they are worth it.0
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unfortunately calories are not the only thing to worry about, I expect the chocolate has more saturated fat than the weight loss snacks.
It's a shame cos I'd choose the chocolate bar everytime!
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The Special K bars, Fiber One bars, and the like are all junk loaded with sugar. If you will be more satisfied by a bit of chocolate than a cereal bar, then by all means eat the chocolate. If I am going to have 100 calories of sugar, I'd rather have a cookie or a piece of quality chocolate rather than a cereal bar.0
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I go by calories....let's face it...when you're craving chocolate...HAVE IT!!!! Because if you don't...you will try to compensate it with other food and you will never be satisfied.
Cheers0 -
I just discovered "Kind" bars at Whole Foods. Very healthy and so so tasty!!0
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You're kidding yourself here. Looking up a Kit Kat Bar's nutritional value, and comparing it to that of an Odwalla food bar, here are the results.
Kit Kat Bar / Odwalla Berries GoMega
Calories: 218kc / 210kc
Total Fat: 11g / 6g
Saturated Fat: 8g / 0.5g
Cholesterol: 5mg / 0mg
Total Carbs: 27g / 36g
Sugars: 20g / 16g
Protein: 3g / 5g
Wen you eat a Kit Kat bar, you're feeding yourself calories from primarily sugar and fat. 11grams of fat is 17% of your daily value, and 8g of saturated fat is 38% of your daily value! Should a snack give you a third of your daily value for fat? No, it should not.
Also, the Odwalla Bar has a whole host of vitamins and minerals, whereas the Kit Kat Bar has almost none; the Odwalla bar is made from minimally processed and mostly natural ingredients, and the Kit Kat Bar, well, you get the picture?
In no way does a candy bar compare to a nutritional bar (at least a good one) in terms of healthiness, and also how much it will satisfy your hunger. Also, the Odwalla Bars cost $0.80 cents each on Amazon.com, or $1 each in stores! Might I add they are more delicious than a candy bar as well.
As far as the poster who said "all of it is junk," well, that just isn't true. Many products are junk, but many products are legitimate food items packaged into a bar. They should not replace all of your meals, but as a snack and or occasional meal replacement they are excellent.0 -
I keep it simple
1. What do I want?
2. What do I have?
3. What do I need?
The only nutritional information I really need is "Balance, variety, and moderation". If eating the cereal bar instead of the kit kat is going to make me still want the kitkat I will eat the kit kat and be done with it. As far as your body is concerned sugar is sugar whether it is from chocolate or cereal.
This mindset has allowed me to make changes for life....not diet.0 -
Yes, unfortunately some folks just eat freshly prepared foods and feel everyone else should too. It's not always an option for most people so I wish they'd stop trying to force their opinions on us as if we are doing something wrong. :bigsmile:As far as the poster who said "all of it is junk," well, that just isn't true. Many products are junk, but many products are legitimate food items packaged into a bar. They should not replace all of your meals, but as a snack and or occasional meal replacement they are excellent.0 -
Lets add some facts to the debate:
KIT KAT
Calories 107 Sodium 0 mg
Total Fat 5 g Potassium 0 mg
Saturated 4 g Total Carbs 13 g
Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 0 g
Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 10 g
Trans 0 g Protein 1 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Vitamin A 0% Calcium 0%
Vitamin C 0% Iron
Kellogg's - Special K Bar Chocolatey Drizzle
Calories 90 Sodium 95 mg
Total Fat 2 g Potassium 0 mg
Saturated 1 g Total Carbs 17 g
Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 3 g
Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 6 g
Trans 0 g Protein 1 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
So.. special K is lower in sugar and fat.0 -
all of it is junk. Just stay away from all junk. Eat whole fresh foods, lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein--who says a "snack" has to come in a package---make your own.
Yes!! It is all junk!!! If I want a snack, it's going to be something healthy and wholesome - not packaged and processed. Grab an apple - they are sweet, full of fiber and only 80 calories.0 -
all of it is junk. Just stay away from all junk. Eat whole fresh foods, lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein--who says a "snack" has to come in a package---make your own.
Yes!! It is all junk!!! If I want a snack, it's going to be something healthy and wholesome - not packaged and processed. Grab an apple - they are sweet, full of fiber and only 80 calories.
How does packaging something make it junk? How does processing something make it junk?
If I put an apple in a wrapper, does it all of the sudden become junk food?
If I take that same apple, puree it, and mix it with oats, then bake it, does it become junk food?
Please explain your logic.0 -
unfortunately calories are not the only thing to worry about, I expect the chocolate has more saturated fat than the weight loss snacks.
It's a shame cos I'd choose the chocolate bar everytime!
Not only that, but many choclolate bars also contain trans fat, which is known to be a major contributor to clogged arteries and heart disease. Read the ingredients list - if it shows hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, it has trans fat.
I agree that some packaged foods are not necessarily as bad as others, so not all are complete 'junk'. But you still need to read the label, including the ingredients, to ensure what you are getting is really healthy for you. I'd still have to say that the best rule of thumb is to stay away from packaged foods as best you can and pack your own healthy snack.0 -
ChessRonin
You are definitely correct about relative value:
It would be a bad idea to use Kit Kats as anything other than a treat, where as your Odwalla food bar could be treated as part of a balanced diet.
I'm drawing the following conclusion:
If you are craving a chocolate treat - go for a kit kat or similar - health food bars (to me) are a poor substitute and you are not going to ruin your whole calorie count for the day.
If, however, you want 'grazing food' to eat, say, after work, before gym - you should eat something much better for you - be it a health food bar, fruit or something home made .0 -
all of it is junk. Just stay away from all junk. Eat whole fresh foods, lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein--who says a "snack" has to come in a package---make your own.
Yes!! It is all junk!!! If I want a snack, it's going to be something healthy and wholesome - not packaged and processed. Grab an apple - they are sweet, full of fiber and only 80 calories.
How does packaging something make it junk? How does processing something make it junk?
If I put an apple in a wrapper, does it all of the sudden become junk food?
If I take that same apple, puree it, and mix it with oats, then bake it, does it become junk food?
Please explain your logic.
The difference is that you have packaged the apple yourself as opposed to it being commercially packaged with additives and preservatives.0 -
Not only that, but many choclolate bars also contain trans fat, which is known to be a major contributor to clogged arteries and heart disease. Read the ingredients list - if it shows hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, it has trans fat.
Actually - penguin bars specifically state on the package specifically that they do NOT contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils...
I cant believe I'm advocating chocolate biscuits!0 -
I mostly snack on fruits, cheese sticks, nuts, etc. But sometimes I want/need--yes it is a need (if I don't get it soon I'll quit altogether) chocolate or potato chips. I go for the real thing, but limit the serving. NOTHING tastes like Lays potato chips but Lays potato chips. If that's what I'm craving, that's what I'm having. I never want to feel deprived. I never want to feel like I'm on a diet. I think there was a diet called 80/20? Eat well 80% of the time and you can eat "junk" 20%. "Junk" in limited amounts isn't going to hurt you. In fact, I just read an article about a college professor who decreased his cholesterol and blood pressure and lost weight eating 1800 calories in "junk" each day (twinkies and doritos).
I'm not advocating his diet. But I think it is unrealistic and unhealthy to totally deprive yourself. If you like Fiber One bars, I think you should feel free to eat them. If you want a Hershey bar, have it.
On the side of the "diet food", you generally get more (volume wise) for the calories. So, you may feel more satisfied after eating a Special K bar than a mini kit kat. But my advice is do what feels right.0 -
all of it is junk. Just stay away from all junk. Eat whole fresh foods, lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein--who says a "snack" has to come in a package---make your own.
Yes!! It is all junk!!! If I want a snack, it's going to be something healthy and wholesome - not packaged and processed. Grab an apple - they are sweet, full of fiber and only 80 calories.
How does packaging something make it junk? How does processing something make it junk?
If I put an apple in a wrapper, does it all of the sudden become junk food?
If I take that same apple, puree it, and mix it with oats, then bake it, does it become junk food?
Please explain your logic.
The difference is that you have packaged the apple yourself as opposed to it being commercially packaged with additives and preservatives.
Odwalla Berries GoMega Ingredients:
"Brown rice syrup, ground golden flax, organic rolled oats, date puree, dried sweetened cranberries (apple juice concentrate, cranberries, sunflower oil), organic oat flour, fig puree, vegetable glycerin, organic soy butter (organic soybeans, organic soy oil, sea salt), whole dried sweetened blueberries (apple juice concentrate, whole dried blueberries, sunflower oil), plum puree, oat bran, raisins, natural flavors (including coconut), less than 2% calcium carbonate [I'm assuming this is a preservative], soy lecithin, salt, dried strawberries, dried rasberrries, bakign soda, beta carotene, vitamin E, and folic acid."
That reads like junk to you? Obviously, eating all of those ingredients fresh and whole would be ideal, but because something is less than ideal does not make it junk. Junk is something that is bad for you or is a waste of calories. If you tell someone "that is junk food," you are telling them "don't eat that, it will be bad for you either directly or because it is a waste of calories." Can you say either of those things about this particular food bar? I think you would be hard pressed to do so.
Now, I'm not saying that no processed food bars are junk, many are; what I am saying is that many food bars are minimally processed, contain natural ingredients with minimal and natural preservatives, and make excellent food sources. Odwalla and Clif Bar are just two examples.
For many people, including myself, having an apple and some cheese after the gym just isn't practical. Bringing a lunch box full of snacks with me to work or class every day is just not practical. Bringing an Odwalla bar or two, however, is not only easy and delicious, but is also going to provide me with a complete panoply of nutrients, something that a piece of fruit will not do.
If you cannot see the value in something like this, then by all means do not partake, but please don't confuse other people by telling them that it is junk.0 -
Also, Mikeyrp, to your original post, if you are craving a kit kat bar specifically, you should try to figure out exactly what you are craving, and see if you can shift that craving to a healthier option. Would a Sweet & Salty Nut Bar (made by many food bar companies) satisfy that craving? If you cannot do this, then sure, have the Kit Kat Bar and exercise portion control, but in the long run you should work to train your body and brain to not want those things.0
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Also, Mikeyrp, to your original post, if you are craving a kit kat bar specifically, you should try to figure out exactly what you are craving, and see if you can shift that craving to a healthier option. Would a Sweet & Salty Nut Bar (made by many food bar companies) satisfy that craving? If you cannot do this, then sure, have the Kit Kat Bar and exercise portion control, but in the long run you should work to train your body and brain to not want those things.
I'm going to think about this...
My objective is to be healthy and happy- part of that includes not becoming overly obsessive over what I eat.
I like food and I don't want to change that - I don't want to give up red meat, ice cream, chocolate and beer - but I want to eat in a contentious way - no binge eating! making sure I get enough vitamins, minerals , fiber and protein - and making sure on a week by week basis I don't consume too many calories.0 -
Also, Mikeyrp, to your original post, if you are craving a kit kat bar specifically, you should try to figure out exactly what you are craving, and see if you can shift that craving to a healthier option. Would a Sweet & Salty Nut Bar (made by many food bar companies) satisfy that craving? If you cannot do this, then sure, have the Kit Kat Bar and exercise portion control, but in the long run you should work to train your body and brain to not want those things.
I'm going to think about this...
My objective is to be healthy and happy- part of that includes not becoming overly obsessive over what I eat.
I like food and I don't want to change that - I don't want to give up red meat, ice cream, chocolate and beer - but I want to eat in a contentious way - no binge eating! making sure I get enough vitamins, minerals , fiber and protein - and making sure on a week by week basis I don't consume too many calories.
Check out the book "Eat what you love, love what you eat" by Dr. Michelle May. It is exactly what you described.0 -
A lot of those stupid healthy snack bars have hugh fructose corn syrup anyway. And even if they don't it's still a genetically modified food, which means it's crap for you anyway. If I'm gonna be eating crappy food it might as well be good tasting crappy foods. You want a HEALTHY snack bar, then it better say "Certified 100% Organic". Ok well, I'm off to the gym and then to buy my kitkat!0
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all of it is junk. Just stay away from all junk. Eat whole fresh foods, lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein--who says a "snack" has to come in a package---make your own.
YES This! Special K cereal has High Fructose Corn Syrup in it - a food no one should ever eat!0 -
*And there was me thinking people would just say 'hooray' and buy kit kats*
Um - that was a joke those of you without a British sense of humor.
I didn't expect quite so much controversy though!0
This discussion has been closed.
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